Speak Out 2/4/08

School concerns

I THINK Delta citizens should start attending school board meetings. It's sad that the school district would rather let kids struggle and fail than to get them the help they need. Our administration is failing to do its job. Remember, we are the ones who are paying the paycheck. Let's come together as a community and do something about it!

Why we donate blood

I HAVE been a dedicated blood donor for almost 20 years. I have noticed that things are done differently now, but I realize that it has to be done this way. Screening is more in-depth and may take a little longer. I will continue to wait no matter how disorganized if it means helping someone in need and saving someone's life.

Pedestrian code

THE DRIVER who thinks pedestrians should thank him for allowing them to cross at a crosswalk should read Cape Girardeau Municipal Code Section 26-307: "When traffic-control signals are not in place or not in operation the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk."

Delta needs school

I AM responding to the comment that said Delta School District does not need a new grade school. The school is outdated and in need of several repairs. Putting a new school in the city limits with the high school is better for everyone, especially the students. As for tutoring, that is a parent's responsibility. A school is required to hire qualified teachers, and Delta has certainly done that. If a child doesn't understand the instruction, it falls on a parent to help. Yes, taxpayers get to decide how their money is spent. This issue will be voted on.

Complaining voters

I HAVE to laugh -- or maybe I should cry -- at the fickle senility of the average American voter. For months on end voters complain about our elected officials and how they're going to pay on Election Day. What do these grumbling voters do? They re-elect the same people. I guess we'd rather complain than have an effective government.

Delta school

DELTA SCHOOL District purchased land to build an elementary because the building located out of town is 50 years old, and it would take more money to update it than the building is worth. As far as paying for a tutor in math, if you have a problem you need to talk to the teacher, administration and then school board if you are not satisfied with the outcome. Problems can't be fixed if they are not addressed. Attend a school board meeting if you feel things are hush-hush. The board meetings are a little more informative than the gossip than goes on at the basketball games.

Not so greedy

HOW DARE anyone call people on Social Security or Medicaid greedy hypocrites. People on Social Security have worked all their lives and have earned that money. When they get a small increase, it's taken away by raising their insurance or prescription costs. Some people are fortunate enough to have a good retirement plan. Some still work well into their 70s. Do you think all people on Medicaid want to be on government aid? Of course not. They are having hard times and are doing the best they can. Some people work the system, but just because you are lucky enough not to need government help or have plenty of money, don't judge the people who don't have it. Maybe you are the greedy one and are afraid you may have to pay more than someone else.

Thanks for purse

I LEFT my purse in my shopping cart at Wal-Mart. Thank you to the young man who returns carts and found my purse. The store won't let me give him a reward, so I must say thank you.

China is the winner

WE MUST thank our government for borrowing money from China to give Americans tax rebates so they can buy products that come from China. So who is helping our government? It seems to me China is the winner, and we are further in debt. It doesn't take a genius to figure this out.

High school morals

JUST BECAUSE there are high school girls getting pregnant doesn't mean we sink to the lowest common denominator. I don't think "Grease" is the best choice for a high school production. Teachers are not making the best moral choices for our youths, and it disappoints me greatly. I'm not talking about just Central High School. I'm talking about high schools in general around the area.

Create more jobs

WHY DO clergymen feel raising taxes on businesses to get money to give to bureaucrats to distribute to the poor is the best way to decrease poverty? Why is it so difficult for them to understand that such taxes curtail business expansion and job creation? Endless studies show that legislation favoring job creation does infinitely more to reduce poverty than forcefully taking money from those who earn it and giving it to those who do not.

Getting greedy?

IF YOU'RE on disability, you're probably getting blessing enough from the government. How dare you want a tax rebate back too. The tax rebates are supposed to ease the working people's burden. I don't begrudge one bit of disability assistance, but I think you're getting greedy if you want more back than what the government's going to give to people who are working. Count your blessings that you live in a society where you get disability.

On the map

IT IS great to see that Cape Girardeau has finally made it on the presidential candidate map. Thank you, Chelsea Clinton, for taking the time to visit Cape Girardeau.